Box Score Radio HighlightsVIDEO | Alec Wintering Game-Winning ShotHighlights, Postgame InterviewsSAN DIEGO, Calif. – Sophomore point guard Alec Wintering buried a three-pointer with 0.3 seconds left to give the Portland Pilots a 61-58 come-from-behind win over San Diego in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams Saturday night at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Portland trailed by six late in regulation, but scored the final nine points of the game and held the Toreros (7-6, 0-1 WCC) scoreless over the last 2:49 to pull out the road victory.
Senior forward Volodymyr Gerun finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds, including numerous key plays down the stretch for the Pilots (10-3, 1-0).
Gerun made a clutch tip-in with 1:40 remaining to pull the Pilots within two at 58-56. He then corralled a loose rebound and led a two-on-one fast break finished by Bobby Sharp to tie the game with 1:07 left. He also grabbed the next rebound on a San Diego miss, setting up Wintering's heroics.
The Pilots struggled throughout the game and shot just 37 percent from the field and committed 19 turnovers. Portland was also outrebounded (42-41) for just the second time this season and were missing leading scorer Kevin Bailey (foot) for the sixth straight game.
Portland found a way to win with several players stepping up at different moments. Freshmen D'Marques Tyson and Jason Todd provided huge boosts for the Pilots in the first half.
Tyson scored all 13 of his points in the first half after going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, including three three-pointers, and 2-for-2 at the foul line. Todd also changed the game with his presence in the first half as the Pilots trailed 10-2 early. Todd hit a midrange jumper than had a pair of steals that led to Portland baskets to ignite the team's rally. Portland would carry a 29-27 lead into the break.
Bryce Pressley added 11 points for the Pilots, while Wintering battled foul trouble to finish with 10.
San Diego senior guard Johnny Dee, who averaged 19.5 points entering the game, finished with 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Senior guard Christopher Anderson had a team-high 14 points and five steals.
The Pilots were 8-of-14 from three-point range for the game and held San Diego to 37 percent shooting from the field. The Toreros were just 1-for-11 from three-point range.
Portland is now 4-1 this season in games decided by five points or less after going 1-6 last season.
Portland will conclude the road trip with a Monday night matchup with BYU. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PT) and will be televised live on BYUtv. Pregame radio coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sports 910 AM (KMTT). Pilot fans are encouraged to gather at the Buffalo Wild Wings-Lloyd District for all WCC road game watch parties.
